Team-BHP - Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold
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-   -   Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorbikes/193139-orange-love-story-part-2-prassys-2017-ktm-rc-390-edit-now-sold.html)

Hello BHPians,

Welcome to my ownership thread. :)

This time, it is something special, with an emotional soft corner, - the mighty, sharp, rabid racoon,- brand new 2017 KTM RC 390!

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-20171213_154133.jpg

Disclaimer

This is not just going to be about the bike alone, but also about my little story as it seemed necessary for capturing why I sold my Duke 390 and why I am again buying a motorcycle. Skip it if you are not interested. First 3 posts are intro!

Introduction a.k.a useless, boring personal info

If you have gone through my previous ownership threads on CBR 250R and Duke 390, you will know my motorcycling journey. For those who havent checked the threads, here are the links and pictures of my tryst with two wheels:

HeroHonda Passion : The first motorcycle i rode after obtaining license. (I used to ride Bajaj sunny, Suzuki Max100R, Hero Honda CD100 on private roads/grounds before that)

My rating: 2.5/5

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-280966_2273265719669_1365420_o.jpg

Royal Enfield CI 350 STD :

It was one good step up in power, but was not reliable.

My rating : 3/5

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-289493_2273269599766_6699900_o.jpg

HeroHonda Karizma R :

My first proper fast bike. Loved it to bits, taught me invaluable riding lessons via 2 major crashes

My rating : 4/5

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-68093_1645610988693_49525_n.jpg

HeroHonda karizma ZMR :

A good evolution of ZMA R (not aesthetically though). Had FI and was very comfortable. Totally loved this bike too.

My rating : 4/5

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-14355687_10210963379869019_147821596365643682_n.jpg

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-10494516_10204719846784594_6115367362372312453_o.jpg

Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS:

A good bike for its cost. Fast too. But somehow I didnot connect with the bike and the ergonomics didnot feel comfortable at all. Only bike I owned and not used well. Rode just 9000 km in 3 years!

My rating : 3/5

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-10491969_10204369062895216_4678338218097475599_n.jpg

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-1961767_10206974986041666_7110852803215825401_o.jpg

Honda CBR 250R STD :

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...-now-sold.html

First pre-worshipped bike in my life!

Wonderful bike! Apt upgrade to Karizmas, felt so like a grown up Karizma. Super-reliable, adequately fun, good looking and very comfortable. Handled quite well too. Used it for 13 months before i got the taste of Duke 390 and I sold it for a Duke.

My rating : 4.5/5

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-14188209_10210874901137106_2227134021674730208_o.jpg

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-15732445_10212092483895914_980107749901902953_o.jpg

KTM Duke 390 ABS:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...uke-390-a.html

Second pre-worshipped ride of mine. It was owned by BHPian and good friend CGB. It was first gen Duke 390, the wild one! Totally fun and frolic kind of a motorcycle. Every time i was on saddle, I was just grinning and cussing loud in my helmet. It complimented my 24/7 T.W.O type of riding style.

I still dont understand why I sold it. It was an impulsive decision and I regret it! I sold it to my student (being an ex-Asst professor of an Engineering college). I was experiencing lower back pain - partly due to my desk job, partly due to riding 100 km a day on a stiff Duke 390, partly due to the emotional foolishness of desiring a new bike and partly due to the reason i am going to talk about in the following post.

My rating : 4.5/5

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-20748397_10214394739050854_7869171585835731363_o.jpg

Clash of my Passions


Note: This part is totally going to be about me, so you can skip to the next post if you aren't interested :)

"partly due to the reason i am going to talk about in the following post..."


Travelling in a car and riding a bike have their own positives and negatives. Cars for instance are extremely comfortable but boring, while riding motorcycle is not very easy on your body (i am talking about 120+ km everyday, 6 days a week) but riding is extremely fun and satisfying.

Add that to being seated in the job, for most part of the day. To make things worse, I love strength training, simply put- lifting weights and pushing my physical limits. So sitting for hours together + riding + heavy lifting = Beat up body! That is what exactly happened with my Duke 390's selling decision.

You may say that physical exercise and strength training are beneficial for riders. Very true! That is when you are moderate and not do some crazy sh*t that I have done in/outside the gym out of enthusiasm and foolishness. I am very passionate about lifting weights and getting stronger, but have no plans of competing anytime. So it really did not make anysense to push the limits every single day i lifted.

For understanding some of the crazy sh*t, here are a few videos and pics(though these are nothing at a professional level, it was hard on a totally drug-free, idli-sambar eating, day-job working rider in me):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9oGPrFDwxk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ri9LvA1RiM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHiYTQD0c68

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGe2Xom0ung

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-325678_2613310620579_236807210_o.jpg

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-406946_4905290878653_731415074_n.jpg

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-778651_10200651691963266_1341244214_o.jpg

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-1658455_10203514141762722_1954988884_o.jpg

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-10415726_10205122866579837_6261213143331741469_n.jpg

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-13179266_10209843974044573_2394533304040257875_n.jpg

So to anyone who has been into a gym, and has studied basics about training, they would know that it takes proper nutrition + proper rest + proper form to remain injury free and keep on pushing the limits. Being the young brash kid that I was, I did not focus on getting proper rest or nutrition, but yet kept pushing it. Eventually I ended up with a badly spasmed lower back that left me bed ridden for 3 days. From then on, riding just made things worse. All these happened this august.

I had to totally withdraw myself from both riding and lifting for the entire months of September - October(except for one awesome Kolli ride). I must say i am very passionate about both these things that I cannot leave either of them. Meanwhile, that rest period brought in recovery of my lowerback with much needed maturity as a lifter (I have been lifting weights since 2006). I started lifting again, but this time I refrained from being an over enthustiastic idiot and being within the safe limits (proper form). November went by great! I progressed at my strength levels and I also got to ride an RC200 for 300km/2 days sometime in October. That was an eyeopener to find that RC was way more comfortable to tall guys(I stand at 6'2) than the Duke.

I was finally convinced that its time for a new bike (I was already terribly missing riding). Thus, the clash of my passions somehow came to a white flag, a relieving one at that. :)

Kolli Ride with BHPians, an eye-opening influence and reignition of the riding fire in my heart


I was almost depressed at the end of September, having not ridden anything for over a month. On September last week, our BHPians whatsapp group proposed a ride to Kolli hills. Kolli hills is a mountain range located at the western part of TN. It is one risky ghat area with 70 hairpin bends one way. So we were talking about doing 140 hairpin bends as a group. I have never done group rides, owing to the fact that i cant ride for longer duration without going T.W.O. and lack of self discipline. I have ridden to Kolli hills twice, once on my Honda CBR 250 R, and the second time on my Duke 390. So we were all excited about the ride and we planned to do it on 30th September 2017. Since Idid not have a motorcycle, I borrowed my cousin's Bullet Electra 350. I rode to Namakkal from Trichy, others reached Namakkal from Chennai/Neyveli and we met at Namakkal.

Group:

VW2010 : Yamaha FZ1
NITNINJA : 2017 Duke 390
Mahesh: 2017 Duke 390
Vignesh N/A: Duke 200
PrasannaDhana: Bullet Electra 350

We had a wonderful time. I got to experience a liter class bike for the first time in my life. Woah!I cant talk much about what I did with it as I have already earned 2 infractions because of it :D But yes, I was on an impression that Duke 390 was a fast bike. After riding the FZ1 for 50 km on plains and around 85 hairpin bends, I sat on the 2017 Duke 390, and I couldnt help but feel that the KTM 390 was slow, very slow on the plains. It was kickass on the ghats though.

Here is a helmet cam footage of me riding the FZ1. It was VW2010 riding ahead of me. Duke 390 on narrow ghats is as fast as any liter class can get.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a95aOyIAzi0

I also rode the 2017 Duke 390. It was such a positive evolution of the old gen Duke 390. Better brakes, better seat, better looks, better throttle response, better console, better handling, better exhaust note and almost better everything! I automatically added 2017 Duke 390 into the contenders list of my next bike.

Here is a footage of me from BHPian VW2010's helmet cam. He was on his FZ1 and I was on the 2017 Duke 390 in the front. (Watch from 1:10 if you have the time, else start from 6:00)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G08U8bw9eAY

All that riding and wonderful twisties reignited the undousable flame of riding back into me.
Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-22047984_10214820778141565_3557952923965834255_o.jpg

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-22096259_10214830676869027_5536734924270983226_o.jpg

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-22137289_10214830628627821_6149494157184383725_o-1.jpg

Attachment 1704320

Note ATGATT followers : I have never thought of investing in riding gear,
but lately, I thought I should. Finding gear for a big guy with 50 inch shoulders was quite a task. Thanks to VW2010 I was able to pick a 5XL Riding jacket from Spartan progear lol:

The Big question- What bike?

After experiencing 150 BHP between my legs, I was after a big bike, atleast a 600 cc 80+ BHP bike. I cannot afford a new one, and hence searched the preworshipped market. I found one, a 2016 model benelli 600i with an asking price of 4.8 lakhs. I felt it was too much and quit looking for 600s. I decided i need to go for a new bike this time.

Budget: 2-4 lakhs, lesser the better :D

Requirement: oodles of fun, great handling and nothing else!

Options considered :

Yamaha YZF R3 :

I always loved Yamaha R15. And R3 was the only bike that was close to 390s in power. I got to ride my friend's R3 for 50 km on the highway and also inside the city. R3 is one gem of a bike. It was ultra refined, comfortable, good looking and it accelerated nicely.

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-22426250_10214932243488129_2446831066209463010_o.jpg

I loved riding the R3, and was almost fixed on buying it while riding it hard on the highway. All positives of the R3 went for a toss when I had to encounter the first corner. The suspension was too soft and bike moved a fair bit around the corners, even my CBR250R was more planted. It was a bummer! And the acceleration though strong, was not as frantic as the 390s.

Positives:
Strong engine
Comfort
Looks
Refinement

Why I rejected it:
Pathetic handling(partly due to suspension and partly due to those pathetic MRFs)
Mediocre brakes and lack of ABS
BS4 launch is not sure when
Not worth the 3.8 lakh tag IMHO

That left me with the following options in the 300 segment:
Kawasaki Ninja 300, Benelli Tornado 302R, 2017 KTM Duke 390 and 2017 KTM RC 390.

I rejected both the Kawasaki and Benelli, owing to unavailability of SVC at my city and atrocious labour and spare parts cost. Plus to have any fun on the Ninja 300, it requires quite a bit of revving.

2017 Duke 390:

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-22095988_10214820778181566_7891650132544464604_o.jpg

As I already specified in my previous post, the Duke 390 impressed me big time!

Why I loved it:
Amazing engine
Ride by wire
Absolutely better brakes
Price- most vfm 300 at 2.7 lakhs OTR
Looks and console
Comfort
Superlative handling
Refinement
Better exhaust note

Just listen to the raspy music it makes at the higher revs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIwrcOH_HZI

Why I did not buy it:
Electronic niggles - two of my friends have seen "ABS failure" and "ECU failure" on their console.
It is a naked, and wind blast at the speeds i ride on the highway gets me tired.
Ergonomics - I wanted a proper supersport experience(after experiencing RC200 which i will explain below)

Why Supersport ergonomics?

Of all bikes I have enjoyed, my brother's R15 was the best, owing to that amazing handling dynamics that came with the low clipons and aggressive riding position. I faced no discomfort with the r15 (back in 2011). So I thought why not try the RC390? The student to whom I sold my D390 happened to own an RC 200 too. I borrowed the bike for a couple of days and rode 300 km on highways and some badroads to understand if i can live with supersport ergonomics.

I was pleasantly surprised that RC handled better than R15 and was way more comfortable than R15/Duke to me. On the duke, i sit upright and the entire weight of my torse falls on the lower back. While on the RC, a part of the load falls on my shoulder, elbows and wrist. I do have very strong shoulders, arms and upper back, which made RC ergonomics feel perfect to me. I am sure RC will be more comfortable to all tall riders(5'11+)

I personally started to fall in love with the looks also.

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-22181175_10214851008417303_7299804318682558793_o.jpg

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-22179761_10214853279154070_4242302321810788859_o.jpg

Here is a small clip of my experience on the RC200:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV7mhJRv_eo

So I was convinced that RC390 is the bike to go and booked it on 24th November 2017.

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-whatsapp-image-20171124-16.14.36.jpeg

A slight plot twist

One day after my RC booking, I heard the news of Apache 310RR launch happening on December 6th. Bam! I wanted to wait and see how it fared.

The bike was droolworthy! The launch presentations were cold, lifeless and boring. I loved the way it looked. Probably the best looking 300cc, more so than the R3! But the specs disappointed. 0-100 in 7.2 secs, and I being a person used to 0-100 in 5.7s, it was a deal breaker along with the lack of slipper clutch and ride by wire. I have experienced both the features in new Duke 390, and it compliments the rider so much when riding spiritedly. The price was the next bummer. It was too close to RC390 and reviewers were clearly stating that though it handled superbly, it isnt as good as the Rc390 around corners.

I would have surely bought the Apache 310 if i have had no previous experience on the KTM 390s. But having owned one, and also having outgrown 45BHP comfortably, I felt the 390 is the most value for money, fun, non-slow bike that I can go for. Performance and handling were the areas I was never going to compromise, not even by a little.

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-tvsapacherr310inred.jpg

Thus, it was decided 2017 KTM RC 390 was going to be the one!

Date: 12 - 12 - 2017
Day: Tuesday
Time: 6:00 pm

I got the delivery of my orange baby! :D

Excuse the picture clarity, pics were shot by mobile camera and it was dark!

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-25075198_10215425245492871_1410323144386751232_o.jpg

To my surprise, the showroom people did not stress much about running in. Anyways, I have my own method of running in my bikes. I give a dose of all rpms generously, and avoid going near the redline. Thankfully the shift light has been preset to blink at 8000 rpm, which i very rarely cross during the initial 1000 km. I do get to 9500 rpm for a few seconds at times. Helps with the seating of valves! But majority riding is happening between 5000-7000 rpm. It used to be 7500-9500 rpm in my old duke 390.

The bike and yours truly :) That is my new riding jacket - Aspida Helios. Pretty decent for 8.2k I must say.

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-whatsapp-image-20171213-11.10.32.jpeg

On-road Price:

Ex-showroom : 2,36,062
After all taxes, insurance, Orange assist and handling charges: 2,70,000 OTR

I could have saved up on handling charges, but I was just too busy and too excited to write to higher ups. I just wanted the bike as soon as possible and did not want to spoil my mood myself. I actually wanted to take the bike on December 10th, which is my wife's birthday. Unfortunately it happened to be a sunday and hence the 2 day delay.

Additional expense: 3k, for rto fees for the number of my choice. I chose 2500 as my lucky number is 7. :)

Odo reading during delivery: 24km

Stuff pending:

1. Saree guard and rear tyre hugger removal
2. Frame sliders
3. A new helmet maybe! Not that the Axor is inferior, it is snug and feels solid, but it is also heavy. It costed me 3k when i bought it 8 months ago. I am looking for a light weight DOT/ECE certified lid.

I have clocked 200 km in a day on the RC390 as we speak. Here are the initial impressions about the bike:

Positives

1. Ergonomics
2. Performance (low and mid range grunt)
3. Handling
4. Slipper clutch and gearbox
5. Brakes
6. Throttle response
7. Refinement
8. Looks
9. Tyres
10. Exhaust note

Negatives

1. Tank capacity
2. Pillion (un)friendliness
3. Engine Heat
4. Top end performance
5. Fan noise
6. Headlights
7. Plastic quality at certain places

Now let us discuss the positives and negatives in detail:

Good:

Ergonomics:

I have already discussed about this. You become one with the motorcycle. Low-set clip-on, high seat, rear set foot peg make for a committed stance. And if you are someone tall (above 6'), RC is pretty comfortable. The clutch and brake levers are adjustable. :thumbs up
Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-wp_20171213_15_24_57_pro.jpg

Adjustable levers:
Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-wp_20171213_15_38_37_pro.jpg
Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-wp_20171213_15_38_47_pro.jpg

Performance :

Need I say this? KTM 390s have shaken the 300cc segment and redefined affordable performance to the Indian youth. My 2014 Duke 390 was an absolute rogue! It was wild, pushy and loud. The 2017 KTM RC 390, in its BS4 avatar, is that same rogue who has now transformed to a armani suit wearing classy assassin. My point is, the RC 390 is as fast, but also feels gentle.

44PS , 36Nm
0-60 in 2.4s
0-100 in 5.6s
Top speed of 170 kmph!

Heart of the matter:
Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-wp_20171213_15_34_38_pro.jpg

Handling:

The primary reason I chose RC over the stunning, capable 2017 Duke 390 is the former's handling prowess. Duke 390 handles like a knife cutting through warm butter, while the RC handles like a hot friggin knife through warm butter. People name their RCs "blade", "scalpel", the reason is this, it handles so precisely! Absolutely sharp, remains stuck in the line you want it to. It makes you go faster around corners. Suppose I am used to doing x kmph around a corner on Duke 390, I would easily be doing atleast x+10 kmph on the RC390.

The cockpit view, it is refreshing with the generous dose of orange!

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-wp_20171213_15_32_03_pro.jpg

Slipper clutch and gearbox:

RC 390 from its 2016 iteration comes with a PASC Slipper clutch. It makes gearshifts very easy, and the city riding chore becomes effortless now, inspite of frequent gear shifts. Coming to the real advantage of slipper clutch is when we tackle corners aggressively. My old 390 easily locked up rear wheels while aggressive downshifting on ghats/corners. No such drama in my RC390.

Gearbox is typical KTM - slick, with slightly clunky neutral - first gear motion. No missed shifts/false neutral.

Brakes

This is one of the most important improvements over the old gen 390s. The old gen 390s came with 300mm front disc with 240mm rear disc. As we all know, braking was not satisfactory and it was "four finger braking" most of the times. Now, with 320mm front and 240m rear disc with steel braided lines are such a vast improvement over the old gen brakes.
Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-20171213_154330.jpg

The braking is strong, has a very good bite and feedback. Infact, I am cautious to not apply too much force on the brake levers! ABS is an essential feature which the 390s always had. I havent experienced any situation on the RC to see the ABS kicking in.

Throttle response

Ride by wire : The throttle response is more precise. I mean, the input at the throttle converts into acceleration quicker than the old gen 390s. There is minimal lag, and the old jerkiness in power delivery has come down.There is still a mild jerk while you do T.W.O, which most may not notice at all.

Refinement

I should be joking right? To even talk about refinement and KTM 390s in the same sentence!

The BS4 update has taken away the old jumpy, jerky, raw feel (i used to love it) of the bike. The bike feels refined at all rev ranges. The vibrations have also come down to a minimum (again very hard to notice).

The beautiful, cute exhaust of the BS4 390s:
Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-wp_20171213_15_34_45_pro.jpg

Exhaust note

The signature autorichshaw exhaust note of old gen KTMs has given way to a milder exhaust note which gets loud and raspier at the higher rpm ranges. (Remember the video of the exhaust note around a corner that i posted in previous posts). This is a welcome change as people got irritated by the sound of old gen ktm and after-market exhaust fitted Enfields. The current exhaust note is pleasant at low rev ranges and sporty at the higher revs.

Ride quality

The 43mm inverted WP independent front suspension and the rear monoshock helps with the handling. Though the ride quality is improved over the old gen 390s, it is still stiff. Ride quality is supple on bad roads. Extra cushioning on the seat also helps.

Tyres

Metzeler Sportec M5 H rated tyres- 150/60 rear, 110/70 front - R 17

I have never ridden on Metzelers W rated. I hear quite a talk about how W rated tyres were awesome and H rated tyres are a downgrade. I dont feel so, the metz H rated tyres are still better than my previous benchmark for handling - Michelin pilot street radials. I like the grip and feedback the H rate Metz provide. I am yet to hit the ghats to see how it fares on tight corners.
Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-wp_20171213_15_33_41_pro.jpg

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-wp_20171213_15_26_08_pro.jpg

Looks

Last but not the least, - Looks!

The new paint scheme gets gloss black and a stronger shade of orange. My dad did not even want to test ride the RC. He did not hesitate to test ride my duke 390 though. He told me RC looks intimidating.

To me, the bike is a stunner! Looks smashing in person than in pictures. Grabs quite a lot of attention (which might be a bad thing in public parking spaces). Let me make the pictures do the talking!
Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-20171213_154145.jpg

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-20171213_154319.jpg

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-20171213_154202.jpg

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Saree guard needs to be removed, tyre hugger too
Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-20171213_154403.jpg

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-20171213_154518.jpg

That furious looking fascia
Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-20171213_154557.jpg

Turn indicators are LEDs, tiny and sleek! Check out tail lamp- 3 LED stripes, of which the center one is always on (with AHO) and the two side strips glow when brakes are applied.
Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-wp_20171213_15_39_54_pro.jpg

The front indicators are placed beautifully on the ORVMs
Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-wp_20171213_15_40_38_pro.jpg

The RC390 branding on the tail - Stylish!
Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-wp_20171213_15_35_08_pro.jpg

RC branding on the fuel tank
Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-20171213_154759.jpg

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-wp_20171213_15_32_10_pro.jpg

Recommended tyre pressure -

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-wp_20171213_15_39_32_pro.jpg
I usually keep 29-32psi combo

Nice wide RVMs, shows what happens at the rear, clearly. Not like the old ones which used to show the rider's elbows

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-20171213_154350.jpg

DRLs and AHO(low beam)

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-wp_20171213_15_33_00_pro.jpg

Very useful large heel plate- a welcome addition for my size 12 shoes lol:

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-wp_20171213_15_37_19_pro.jpg

Other good bits:

MID on the console : very detailed, shows time, 2 trip meters, avg speed, side stand indicator, ABS light, real time fuel economy, gear indicator, odometer, tachometer, trip time, range and service. The console throws "Error" on main odo display when the side stand is engaged and when the fuel level is low.

One-touch starter button - Just press once and take your thumb away, th bike cranks till it starts :)


Bad:

Tank capacity

9.5 liters on a 373cc bike with an average fuel economy of 20 kmpl (spirited riding) means you need to stop for fuel once every 180 km! It gets irritating during long journeys (which i seldom going to do) and daily commuting (120 km bothways). I have to refuel every two days.

Pillion (un)friendliness

I still remember the disappointment in my wife's face when she first saw my bike. "So I can not sit in this bike too? well!"

She rarely rides with me, 2 times in the last 4 years to be exact. Hence, it doesnt matter to me. But if you plan taking pillion, stay away from RC390. The seat is soft but the shape is odd and it is placed sky high!

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-wp_20171213_15_37_05_pro.jpg

Engine heat & Noisy fan
Honestly, I dont find this an issue, being used to old 390s. The 2017 RC390 doesnt heat as much as the old gen 390s. In fact it is pretty much manageable. You will feel the warmth, but nothing like that old tandoori legs feel. The fan overworks, almost all the time inside city traffic and is quite audible too. One good thing is the bike doesnt overheat at all, even in bumper to bumper traffic.

For a 373cc big single cylinder engine running at a high compression ratio, this heat is pretty normal.

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-20171213_154537.jpg

Headlights

In 2017 RC, you no more get both the twin projectors glowing for high beam. Its single projector for low beam and the other one for high beam. This results in poor illumination. High beam has a terrible spread too.

Top end performance

Though the low end grunt and mid range performance are as strong as the old gen 390s, the acceleration post 150 kmph is slower in the 2017 BS4 RC 390. This is not a big negative as we wont be doing that speeds often.


Ugly

Plastic quality at certain places and their vibrations

Overall fit and finish is good, but the plastic quality at some places - specially the battery cover plastic and the plastic surrounding the console are cheap and flimsy. The battery cover vibrates occasionally at the lower rpm ranges, which is a bummer. Let me see if the SVC can fix it during the first service.

I have come to the end of my ownership review. I will update this thread regularly.

BTW I got the number plates fixed, and gave the highbeam projector a reflective orange outline.

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-whatsapp-image-20171213-19.13.46.jpeg

Orange love story part 2 | Prassy's 2017 KTM RC 390 | EDIT: Now sold-whatsapp-image-20171213-19.15.33.jpeg

Thank you for reading my review!

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Motorbikes Section. Thanks for sharing!

First day to work on the RC390.

Odo stands at 210 km :) Both my previous daily drivers Kwid 1.0 and Ciaz put to much deserved rest.

I would like to thank BHPians and good friends VW2010, NITNINJA, Vignesh N/A, Satanicdude, Benji, Mahesh, CGB, Sid, Visaster for being supportive and making me take decisions from my heart instead of mind. Its the same for others in the group too. Thank you buddies!

Congratulations and wish you many many kms of safe and happy riding. The bike is a looker and a performer at the same time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtheK (Post 4322414)
Congratulations and wish you many many kms of safe and happy riding. The bike is a looker and a performer at the same time.

Thank you Athek!

And Congratulations on your Apache RR310 booking! Competition is great, we get to choose from excellent products! :)

Congrats on the rakoon.

Guess what? I was browsing through the new post section and I saw KTM along with Prassy mentioned. I thought it was the Duke 390 thread and casually decided to glance over the review again.

However, it was only when I opened the link that I realised it is the RC390. Never expected such a detailed ownership review in a short span of time. Congrats on the bike sir!

One question, I heard that KTM has now made the high and low beam two separate bulbs. The two won't light up together now. Is that the case? I personally think that the bike looks wicked with both the bulbs on. It's a shame that they have left out the TFT display from the Duke, although the electronic niggles were irritating.

Wishing you many miles of touring with the RC and of course looking forward to your vlogs.

Regards,
Vishy

Congrats Prasanna on your newest beast. Live to ride clap:

When I was reading your updates on old thread on the RC booking, I was wondering why you were not considering 310RR, but now I do know and say RR doesn't suit you :).

Good to see you getting into riding gears, its better to be careful than sorry.

Have a happy riding.

KK

Quote:

I personally think that the bike looks wicked with both the bulbs on. It's a shame that they have left out the TFT display from the Duke, although the electronic niggles were irritating
Makes sense. This is a 100% track bike you can ride on road. Makes no sense to bring the TFT knowing for road they want to push people to get the KTM390. Also the cost is kept fairly in line with the old Rc390 and adding TFT would only mean pushing the cost. Please get rid of the saree guard, ugly mud guard and to an extent get some while decals mixed into that "Too much Orange".

Great review and good luck ripping its heart out.

Thanks for the jacket. A squid always needs a jacket.

Wait a sec. Didn't you sell your duke because of a bad back? And you got the RC now which is more committed? Am I missing something?

Congrats.

Congrats on the new ride. I guess in the end your like for the orange beast was too much to ignore. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Liner (Post 4322537)
Wait a sec. -- Am I missing something?

Yes, this :

Quote:

I had to totally withdraw myself from both riding and lifting for the entire months of September - October(except for one awesome Kolli ride). I must say i am very passionate about both these things that I cannot leave either of them. Meanwhile, that rest period brought in recovery of my lowerback with much needed maturity as a lifter (I have been lifting weights since 2006). I started lifting again, but this time I refrained from being an over enthustiastic idiot and being within the safe limits (proper form). November went by great! I progressed at my strength levels and I also got to ride an RC200 for 300km/2 days sometime in October. That was an eyeopener to find that RC was way more comfortable to tall guys(I stand at 6'2) than the Duke.

I was finally convinced that its time for a new bike (I was already terribly missing riding). Thus, the clash of my passions somehow came to a white flag, a relieving one at that.
and this :

Quote:

I was pleasantly surprised that RC handled better than R15 and was way more comfortable than R15/Duke to me. On the duke, i sit upright and the entire weight of my torse falls on the lower back. While on the RC, a part of the load falls on my shoulder, elbows and wrist. I do have very strong shoulders, arms and upper back, which made RC ergonomics feel perfect to me. I am sure RC will be more comfortable to all tall riders(5'11+)
:D


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